Releasable jarring tool



Jan..7, 1936. E. BURNS ET AL RELEASABLE JARRING TOOLA Filed Aug. 7, 19552 Sheets-Sheet. 1

...ZIE

Jan. 7, 1936. E. BURNS ET AL 2,026,931

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 uw M Patented Jan. 7, 193.6

UNITED STATES RELEASABLE JARRING TOOL Erwin Burns, Los Angeles, andHarry P. Wickersham, Huntington Park, Calif.

'Application August 7, 1933, Serial No. 684,020

13 Claims.

This invention relates to a well tool, and relates more particularly toa releasable jarring tool or jar. It is a general object of the presentinvention to provide a simple, practical and effective device for use ina string of drill pipe that is operable to impart a jarring action to atool carried by the string and that is releasable to permitdisconnection of the string from the tool.

In the drilling of wells with the rotary method of drilling, thedrilling tool has a decided tendency to become caught in the well borewhen penetrating certain earth formations. Jarring tools for imparting ahammering or jarring ac' tion to the drilling tool have been foundeiective in loosening the caught tools so that drilling may becontinued. The jarring tools that have been introduced are veryexpensive, and it is not commercially practical to employ them indrilling strings. Further, the common forms of jarring tools are notreleasable or capable of being disconnected when in the well and may belost or damaged if employed in a drilling string in the event that thedrilling tool cannot be loosened from the formation.

An object of the present invention is to provide a device adapted to beinserted in a drilling or fishing string that may be operated to imparta hammering or jarring action to the tool operated by the string andthat may be released or disconnected, in the event the tool cannot beoperated or loosened, to permit the major portion of the string to berecovered from the well.

Another object of the invention is to provide a releasable jarring toolof the character mentioned that is operable by a simple rotation of theoperating string while maintaining the string under tension to provideany required number of jarring or hammering blows.

It is another object of the invention to provide a releasable jarringtool that is operable to dependably unyieldingly transmit heavyrotational and longitudinal strains during the normal drillingoperations without becoming jammed or rendered inoperative.

It is another object of the invention to provide a releasable jarringtool that forms a rigid eilective connection in the drilling stringduring the drilling operation and that may be easily reset to its normalcondition after being actuated as a jarring tool.

It is another object of the invention to provide a releasable jarringtool that may be easily and quickly released or disconnected withoutbeing operated as a jarring tool or after being actuated to produce ajarring action.

It is another object of the invention to provide a releasable jarringtool that may be easily and quickly disconnected or released withoutspecial or diilicult manipulation of the drilling string.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a releasable jarringtool that is effective in operation and simple and inexpensive ofmanufacture. I

Other objects and features of the invention will be better and fullyunderstood from the following detailed description of a typical form andapplication of the invention, throughout which description reference ishad to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the tool provided by the presentIinvention illustrating it connected in a driling stiring. Fig. 2 is anenlarged longitudinal detailed sectional View of the tool with the stemsection in elevation showing the parts in the locked or normalpositions. Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary longitudinal sectional viewof the upper portion of the tool with the stem section in elevationshowing the lock member in the up position. Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sideelevation taken as indicated by line 4-4 on Fig. 3 illustrating the lugsin the position for disconnection. Fig. 5 is an enlarged longitudinaldetailed sectional view of the tool with the stem section in elevationshowing the parts in the jarred or jarring positions. Fig. 6 is anenlarged transverse detailed sectional view taken substantially asindicated by lines 6 6 on Fig. 2. Figs. I and 8 are enlarged transversedetailed sectional views taken as indicated by lines 1-1 and 8-8respectively on Fig. 5.

'I'he releasable jarring tool provided by the invention includesgenerally, two body sections A and B, releasable means l0 fortransmitting strains between the body sections A and B, and means Iloperable to eil'ect a jarring action between the sections A and B afterthe release of the means l0.

The body sections A and B of the tool constitute an assembly adapted tobe connected or interposed in a drilling string of drill pipe, or thelike. In the particular case illustrated in the drawings, the section Ais connected with the string or the major portion S of the string, whilethe section B is connected with a drill collar C carrying the drillingtool T. The upper section A is the male or stem section oi the tool,while the lower section Bis the female or socket section receiving thesection A. The stem section A is comparatively long and is round incross sectional conguration. A sub I2 may be provided on the upper endof the section A to facilitate connection of the section with the stringB. In the particular embodiment of the invention being described, theupper end portion of the stem section A is threaded into a socket I3 inthe lower end of the sub I2. A tapered socket I4 is provided in theupper end of the sub I2 to receive the threaded pin of a tool jointsection, or the like, on the lower end of the string S. 'Ihe stemsection A is provided with a central longitudinal iluid passage I5extending through it from one end to the other. The upper end of thepassage I6 is in communication with the passage I6 in the sub I2. Thesection B is a tubular member having a central longitudinal opening |1for receiving the stem section A. The lower portion I1* of the openingI1 is of enlarged diameter and its upper end forms a downwardly facingshoulder I6 in the section B. A sub I6 is screw threaded into the lowerend of the section B to facilitate connection of the section with thedrill collar C or other part. 'Ihe sub I9 may have a pin 20 forthreading into a socket in the drill collar C. An opening or socket 2|is provided in the upper end portion of the sub I6 and forms acontinuation of the enlarged portion l1* of the opening in the sectionB. A fluid passage 22 is provided in the sub I9 in longitudinalalignment with the iluid passage I 5 of the section A.

The releasable means III is operable to transmit rotational andlongitudinal strains between y the sections during drilling and otheroperations.

The means III is releasable to condition the jarring means I I and topermit the disconnection of the body sections A and B. In accordancewith the invention, the means I 6 includes a releasable threadedconnection between the body sections A and B, and a lock section ormember 26 surrounding the section A and adapted to cooperate with thesection B. The threaded connection comprises a comparatively shortcontinuous thread 23 on the section A for cooperating with a brokenthread 24 on the walls of the opening I1 in the section B. The thread 24is broken at diametrically opposite points to comprise two longitudinalseries of spaced inclined shoulders for the purpose to be subsequentlydescribed. The threads 23 and 24 are preferably right hand threads beingreleasable by counter-clock wise or left hand rotation of the bodysection A relative to the section B. There is preferably considerableclearance in the threads 23 and 24 when they are in mesh or cooperationto allow limited relative longitudinal movement between the sections Aand B.

The lock section or member 26 is carried by the stem section A and isadapted to have releasable meshing engagement with the socket section B.The member 26 surrounds the stem section A between the lower end of thesub I2 and the upper end of the section B. In the constructionillustrated in the drawings, the member 26 is tubular and is ofsubstantially the same external diameter as the sub I2 and section B.Circumferentially spaced lugs 21 are provided on the lower end ci' themember 26 to cooperate with complementary lugs 28 projecting from theupper end of the socket section B. The ends oi' the lugs 21 and 26 areinclined and have the same pitch and direction of inclination as thethreads 23 and 24. The bottom walls 23 of the spaces or notches betweenthe respective lugs 21 and 26 have the same pitch or inclination as theends of the lugs. 'I'he sides of the lugs 21 and 26 are at and arepreferably convergent toward the ends of the lugs. The

lugs 21 and 24 are related and proportioned so that they are adapted tomesh to have their sides in engagement as illustrated in Fig. 1 of thedrawings so as to effectively transmit rotational and compressionstrains between the member 26 5 and section B.

Means is provided for feeding the lock member 26 longitudinally on thestem section A upon rotation of the stem section A relative to thesocket section B. Coarse threads 36 are pro- 10 vided on the stemsection A and the interior of the member 26 to cause longitudinalmovement of the member on the section A. The threads 36 are preferablydouble threads and have a steep or substantial pitch. Iri accordancewith the 15 invention, the threads 36 -are left hand threads beingpitched in the OPDsite direction to the threads 23 and 24. Upon thesection A being turned in a right hand direction relative to the sectionB, the engagement of the forward ends 20 of the lugs 21 with the rearends of the lugs 26 holds the member 24 against rotation so that thecooperation of the threads 3l feeds the member 26 downwardly bringingthe lugs 21 into effective mesh with the lugs 26. It will be apparentthat 25 when the member 26 is in this position where a right handrotational strain is on the joint, it positively limits threadingtogether oi' the sections. The member 26 thus prevents the threads 23and 24 from being jammed so that they may 30 be easily disconnectedwithout endangering the other threaded connections in the string. Uponthe stem section A being turned in a left hand direction relative to thesocket section B, the meshing' lugs 21 and 26 hold the member 26 6lagainst rotation so that the threads 36 feed the member upwardly to theposition illustrated in Fig. 4 of the drawings.

The invention includes means for normally yieldingly holding the lockmember 26 in its up 40 position where the lugs 21 are free to clear thelugs 28 upon turning of the section A in a left hand direction relativeto the section B and for aiding in automatically returning the member 26from its meshing position to its up position. A 45 socket 3| is providedin the upper end oi' the lock member 26 and a helical torsional spring32 is arranged in the socket and surrounds the section A. A ring 33 isarrangedin the socket 3| and is held against turning in acounterclockwise di- 50 rection by pins 34 engaging the upper ends ofthe threads 30 of the section A. 'I'he lower end of the spring 32 isheld in a socket 36 in the ring 33.

A plate ring 36 is attached to the upper end of the lock member 26 byscrews 31, or the like and over- 55 hangs or closes the upper end of thesocket 3|. The upper end of the spring 32 is carried in a socket 36 inthe plate ring 33. The ring 32 is held under a torsional strain and acompression strain to exert a right hand turning force and an 60 upstrain on the lock member 26 to normally yieldingly hold the lock memberin its up position illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4 of the drawings and toaid in returning the lock member to this up position when the section Ais turned in a 5 counterclockwise direction. 'lhe upward movement of thelock'member 26 is limited by the lower end of the sub I2 which isengaged by the plate ring 36 when the lock member 26 is in its 70 upposition. When the lock member 26 is in this position, the stem sectionA may be turned in a counterclockwise direction to unthread the threads23 and 24 and condition the jarring means for operation or provide forthe disconnection of the sections A and B as will be subsequentlydescribed.

'I'he means I I for effecting'a. jarring action between the bodysections A and B is rendered operative or conditioned for operationafter the release of the means I8. The jarring means Il includes animpact nut 40 on the lower end portion of the stem section A operablelongitudinally in the enlarged opening I1* and adapted to jar upwardlyagainst the shoulder I8. The nut 40 is releasably connected with thestem section A by threads 4I `having the same pitch and direction ofinclination as the threads 2y and 24. Means is provided to control therelease or detachment of the nut 48 from the stem section A.

A spring pressed ratchet or latch 42 is carried by the nut 40 and isadapted to cooperate with a longitudinal groove 42 in the wall of theopening I1EL to hold the nut 40 against rotation relative to the sectionB. The latch 42 is arranged in a socket 43 in the impact nut 40 and isurged outwardly by a spring 44. The active outer end 45 of the latch 42projects through and is slidably guided by a perforated plug 46 in thesocket 43. The active outer end 45 of the latch 42 is bevelledrearwardly and outwardly relative to the clockwise direction ofrotation, so that it is adapted to ratchet or slip over the groove 42mwhen the nut 5|) is being turned in a right hand direction. When the nut40 is turned in a counterclockwlse'direction, the active end 45 of thelatch 42 is urged outwardly into the groove 42a by the spring 44 andholds the nut 40 against further rotation in that direction. The latch42 and the groove 42a are positioned and related so that they areadapted to cooperate when the impact nut is in its up position where itsupper end is at or adjacent the shoulder I8.

The means II for effecting a jarring or hammering action between thesections A and B includes parts on the sections adapted to cooperate tohold the sections against relative longitudinal movement that arereleasable to allow the impact nut 40 to jar upwardly against theshoulder I8. The means I I includes sets or series of inclined shoulders50 on the stem section A for cooperating with sets or series of-inclined shoulders 5I on the wall of the opening I1. In the preferredconstruction, there are two diametrically opposite sets oflongitudinally spaced shoulders 50 on the section A for cooperating withtwo diametrically opposite series of longitudinally spaced shoulders 5Ion the section B. The sets of shoulders 50 and 5I are proportioned andrelated so that the shoulders of the section A are adapted to passbetween the sets of shoulders on the section B when the sections are incertain rotative positions. The shoulders 50 and 5| are inclined in thesame direction as the threads 23 and 24 and have the same pitch as thethreads 23 and 24. In practice the sets of' shoulders 5I are alignedwith the sets of parts or shoulders forming the interrupted thread 24.When the shoulders 50 and 5I are in mesh, they are operable to hold thesections A against longitudinal or upward movement relative to thesection B. In accordance with the invention there is considerableclearance in the meshing series of shoulders 5|) and 5I as clearlyillustrated in Fig. 3 of the drawings. The leading ends 55 of theshoulders 50 are bevelled to insure their easy engagement with theshoulders 5 I. To effect a jarring action, after the release of the lugs21 and 28, the stem section A is turned in a left hand or counter clockwise direction' for about two revolutions to disengage the continuousthread 23 from the broken thread 24, and is then rotated in a right handdirection while maintaining an up-pull on the string S and section A.The sets of shoulders 50 of the section A are adapted to pass betweenthe 5 sets of shoulders 5I once during each rotation of the stem sectionA in a right hand direction to permit the impact nut 4|! to jar upwardlyagainst the shoulder I8. After each jarring blow, the right handrotation of the stem section A relative 10 to the socket section Bbrings the shoulders 50 into cooperation with'the shoulders 5I, whichfeeds the section A downwardly relative to the section B moving theimpact nut downwardly away from the shoulder I8 preparatory to the 15succeeding jarring blow.

During the normal drilling operation or when the string S is beingturned in a clock wise or right hand direction or is under a clock wiserotational strain, the cooperation of the threads 30 2o holds the lockmember 26 in its down position where the lugs 21 and 28 are in full oroperative meshing engagement. The threaded feeding connection of thelock member 26 with the stem section A`and the meshing engagement of the25 lugs 21 and 28 limits threading together of the sections A and B sothat the threads 23 and 24 are relieved of tightening and wedgingaction. The safety joint thus forms a rigid unyielding joint orconnection in the string during normal 30 or drilling operations; If itbecomes desirable or necessary to impart a jarring or hammering actionto the tool T, the drilling string may be raised slightly or put under aslight up strain and is turned in a counterclockwise direction for 35approximately two revolutions to unthread the thread 23 from the thread24. The cooperation of the threads 23 and 24 raises the section A to aposition where the lu'gs 21 are free to clear ther lugs 28. During thedisconnection of the thread 40 23 from the thread 24, the nut 40 is in aposition withinthe socket 2l where its latch 42 is spaced below thegroove 42e so that it is free to turn with the stern section A. Upondisconnection of the thread 23 from the thread 24 the stem section A g5is permitted to shift upwardly a limited amount to bring the nut 40 to aposition at or in cooperation with the shoulder I8. The string S is thenrotated in a right hand direction while maintaining an up-pull, thusturning the section A in the 50 right hand direction relative to thesection B to cause the disengagement of the sets of shoulders 50 fromthe sets of shoulders 5I during each rotation. During the cooperation ofthe shoulders 50 with the shoulders 5I the section A feeds or is 55threaded downwardly relative to the section B to move the nut 40downwardly away from the shoulder I8. The disengagement of the shoulders50 from the shoulders 5I allows sudden upward movement of the section Arelative to the 60 section B to bring the impact nut 40 into upwardjarring engagement with the shoulder I8, thus imparting an upwardhammering or jarring action to the tool T. After the jarring action hastaken place, the continued clock-wise rotafion of 65 the section` Aresults in the shoulders 50 again meshing with the shoulders 5I wherebythe stem section A is again fed downwardly to space the nut 40 below theshoulder I8 preparatory to the next jarring blow. In this manner thetool may 70 be operated to provide any desired or required number ofupward jarring or hammering blows to the tool connected with the sectionB.

In the event that the tool T becomes loosened by the jarring orhammering action, the string s is allowed to settle to take up theclearance in the shoulders l! and Il and is then rotated in a right handor clock wise direction to cause feeding of the section A into thesection B by threading together of the threads 22 and 24. When thesection A assumes a position where the lugs 21 sn'ike against the lugs2l the string s may be raised and turned approximately one half of arevolution in a right fhand direction and then permitted to settle.bringing the parts to the position where the lugs 21 and 2l are in fullmesh. The drilling operation may then be continued as the member 24 ismaintained in its meshing position by the cooperation of the feedingthreads Il. In the event that the jarring action to which the tool` issubjected does not result in loosening of the tool from the formation,'the joint maybe disconnected without returning its parts to the normalposition by merely rotating the string in the left hand direction whilemaintaining an upstrain on the string. The latch 42 cooperates with thegroove 42 during this left hand rotation of the section A so that thenut 4l is held against turning allowing the section A to be threaded outof the nut. Upon the shoulders Il of the section A being unthreaded fromthe; shoulders Il and the thread 24 of the section B, the two sectionsof the joint are entirely disconnected and the string S may be recoveredfrom the '-well.

To release or disconnect .the section A from the section B when theparts are in the normal positions, the string=s is rotated in a lefthand or counterclockwise direction. The lugs 21 clear the upper ends ofthe lugs 2l., during this rotation of the vsection A in acounterclockwise direction. The turning ofthe section A in a left handor counterclockwise direction relative to the section B unthreads orreleases the thread 22 from the thread 24 and permits the latch 42 tocome into latchingcooperation with the groove 42'. The nut 40 is thus'held against turning 4s0 that the stem section A may be threaded out ofthe nut. The inclined shoulders 50 of the section A are threaded up'through the shoulders Il and the thread 24 of the section B during thethreading of the section A out ofthe nut 4l and when the section A isreleased from the nut it is fully disconnected from the section B. Theoperating string may then be recovered from the well.

Having described only a typical form and application of our invention,we do not wish to be limited or restricted to the specific form andapplication herein set forth, but wish to reserve to ourselves anymodifications or variations that may appear to those skilled in the artor fall within the scope of the following claims:

Having described our invention, we claim:

l. A well tool including, two sections adapted to be connected in anoperating string, releasable means for transmitting strains between thesections including a sleeve around and movable on one section, andthreads on said section and sleeve for feeding the sleeve into and outof strain transmitting cooperation with the other section,

and means operable to eiect a jarring action between the sections afterthe release of the ilrst mentioned means.

2. A tool for use in an operating string including, two sections, aslack threaded connection between the sections releasable bymanipulation of the string Iwhile in the well, clutch parts on onesection, a sleeve threaded on the other section and releasablycooperating with the clutch parts for transmitting strains between thesections to prevent tightening of the threads of said coning, twosections adapted to be connected in the string. releasable means fortransmitting rota- 10 Vtional and compression strains between thesections, impact pa'rts on the sections adapted to be brought intohammering engagement upon relative longitudinal movement between thesection, means for holding the sections against relative 15 longitudinalmovement after the release of the iirst mentioned means and releasableto allow the impact parts to be brought into engagement, and meansvconnecting one of said impact parts with its respective section to bedisconnectable there- 20 from after -the release of the first mentionedmeans.

' 4. In combination, an operating string, a drilling tool on the lowerend of the string, and a. device in the string including two sections,impact 25 parts on the sections adapted to be brought into jarringengagement, inclined parts on the sections adapted to cooperate to holdthe sections against relative longitudinal movement releasable byrelative rotation between the sections to allow said 30 parts to comeinto engagement, means operable to normally transmit rotative andlongitudinal strains between the sections releasable to allow relativemovement of the sections, and a connection between one of the impactparts and its re- 35 spective section releasable toallow disconnectionofthe sections.

5. A well tool including, two sections related for relative rotation andlongitudinal movement, cooperating releasable threads on the sections,40 impactpartsonthesectionsadaptedtobe brought into jarring engagementupon relative longitudinal movement of the sections, inclined shoulderson the sections adapted to cooperate to hold the sections againstrelative longitudinal 45 movement releasable by relative rotationbetween the sections one of said parts being disconnectable from itsrespective section upon relative rotation between the sections in onedirection while in the well to permit the disconnec- 50 tion of thesections, the shoulder of one section threadingthroughthethreadof theothersection during said disconnection, and releasable means for holdingthe sections against relative rotation. 55

6. A well tool including. two sections adapted to be connected in anoperating string, a shiftable member on one section, lugs on the memberand the other section adapted to have non-rotative cooperation, and aconnection between the mem- G0 ber and the first mentioned sectionoperable to feed the member toward said other section upon rotation ofthe first mentioned section in one direction to bring the lugs intocooperation to hold the sections against rotation and operable toretract the member from the said other section upon lug and notch meansholding thesections against relative rotation, and means operative afterrelease ofthe first mentioned means for effecting a jarring actionbetween the sections, the sections being detachable one from the otherafter the release of the rst mentioned means, the last mentioned meansincluding impact parts on the sections adapted to come into jarringengagement upon longitudinal movement oi one section relative to theother, one of said impact parts being detachable from the sectioncarrying it upon rotation of said section relative to the other section.

8. A tool for use in a string of pipe operating in a well including twosections to be connected in the string, threads connecting the sections,a lock member threaded on one section, lugs on the lock member and theother section adapted to cooperate when the string is under a torsionalstrain tending to tighten the threads, the member automaticallyretracting to disengage the lugs when a reverse rotational strain is onthe string, and means for effecting a jarring action between thesections when the threads are disengaged.

9. A tool for use in a string of pipe operating in a well including twosections to be connected in the string," threads connecting thesections, a lock member threaded on one section, lugs on the lock memberand the other section adapted to cooperate when the string is under atorsional strain tending to tighten the threads, the mem-f berautomatically retracting to disengage the lugs when a reverse rotationalstrain is on the string, and means for effecting a jarring actionbetween the sections when the threads are disengaged, said meansincluding an impact part, and threads connecting the impact part to saidsection whereby said part is adapted to be unthreaded by rotation o! thestring to allow the separation of the sections.

10. A safety joint including, a socket section, a stem sectionreleasably threaded into the socket section, a shiftable member on thestem section, parts on the member and socket section adapted to havereleasable non-rotative cooperation, threads connecting the member withthe stem section and pitched in the opposite direction to the threadsconnecting the sections to advance the member on the stem section tobring said parts into cooperation when the stem section is turned in adirection to thread the sections together and to retract the member whenthe sections are under torque applied in the other direction, and aspring surrounding the stem section and connected to the stem sectionand member to urge the member to the retracted position.

11. A safety joint including, two sections one a stem section, the othera socket section receiving the stem section, a releasable threaded con-5 nectlon between the sections, a member on the stem section adapted toengage the socket section, threads connecting the member with the stemsection and pitched in the opposite direction to the threads of saidconnection to maintain the member'in engagement with said other sectionwhen a clockwise strain is on the joint to limit threading together ofthe sections and operable to retract the member from said other sectionwhen a counterclockwise strain is on the tool to disengage the memberfrom said other section, and a torsional spring surrounding the stemsection and normally yieldingly holding the member in a retractedposition.

12. A safety joint including, two sections, a releasable threadedconnection between the sections, a member on one section adapted toengage the other section, threads connecting the member with the rstmentioned section and pitched in the opposite direction to the threadsofsaid connection to maintain the member in engagement with said othersection when a clockwise strain is on the joint to limit threadingtogether of the sections and operable to retract the member from saidother section when a counterclockwise strain is on the tool to disengagethe member from said other section, and a torsional spring surroundingthe flrstmen tioned section and acting between the ilrst mentionedsection and the member to aid in the retraction of the member.

13. A safety joint including, two sections, a releasable threadedconnection between the sections, a member on one section, parts on themember and the other section adapted to have 40 releasable non-rotativecooperation, threads connecting the member with the rst mentionedsection and pitched in the opposite direction to the threads of saidconnection to hold said parts in cooperation with the sections are undertorque applied in a direction to tighten the threads of said connection'and to move the member relative to the sections to disengage said partswhen the sections are stationary and under torque applied in the otherdirection, and a spring spaced 60 longitudinally from said threadsurging the member to a position where said parts are disengaged. Y

,ERWIN BURNS.

HARRY P. WICKERSHAM.

